ASHTON United chairman John Milne has blamed a third party who the club feels contributed to Ciaran Kilheeney's move to Burscough.

ASHTON United chairman John Milne has blamed a third party who the club feels contributed to Ciaran Kilheeney's move to Burscough.

A club record for Burscough - thought to be over the rumoured £4,000 but less than five figures - saw Kilheeney make the switch on Monday.

Mr Milne said: "Ciaran was on contract with Ashton and somebody took it on themselves to advertise the player on certain non-league websites, as well as posting on the club forum that the player was unhappy - all this before any transfer request had been received."